Universidade de Coimbra
Coimbra, Portugal • Founded 1290 • World Rank #435
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1290, the Universidade de Coimbra (University of Coimbra) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Coimbra (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal (Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Portugal), Universidade de Coimbra (UC) is a large-sized coeducational Portuguese higher education institution. Universidade de Coimbra (UC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 733-year-old Portuguese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 40-49% making this Portuguese higher education organization an averagely selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
UC also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Geographic and contact information for Universidade de Coimbra — useful before scheduling visits or sending enquiries. Each channel below routes to a different team, so pick the one matching your question.
Academic Details
Below: the academic-side numbers and recognition that shape Universidade de Coimbra's reputation. Recognition and accreditation are distinct — recognition is government-level, accreditation programme-specific.
Academic Structures
The faculties, schools, and constituent units that make up Universidade de Coimbra's academic architecture are listed below. Knowing which unit hosts your subject helps locate the relevant admissions team.
Unit 11 items
- College of Arts
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology
- Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health
Degrees
Also Postgraduate and Specialization Courses
Other 130 programs
- Accountancy
- Adult Education
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Architectural Restoration
- Architecture
- Art History
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Classical Languages
- Clinical Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Community Health
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Cultural Studies
- Dentistry
- Design
- Development Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Economics
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Sciences
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- European Studies
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Food Science
- Foreign Languages Education
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geography (Human)
- Geological Engineering
- Geology
- Gerontology
- Government
- Health Sciences
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Human Rights
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Industrial Chemistry
- Industrial Engineering
- Industrial Management
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Journalism
- Labour and Industrial Relations
- Landscape Architecture
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Military Science
- Mining Engineering
- Modern Languages
- Molecular Biology
- Multimedia
- Museum Studies
- Native Language Education
- Natural Resources
- Neurosciences
- Occupational Health
- Pathology
- Peace and Disarmament
- Performing Arts
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physical Engineering
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Polymer and Plastics Technology
- Portuguese
- Primary Education
- Private Administration
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Regional Planning
- Safety Engineering
- Science Education
- Secondary Education
- Social Policy
- Social Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Sound Engineering (Acoustics)
- Sports
- Sports Medicine
- Teacher Training
- Tourism
- Town Planning
- Translation and Interpretation
- Transport Engineering
- Water Management
- Women's Studies
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal.
Arts (College) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Cinema and Television
- Fine Arts
- Performing Arts
Economics (Faculty) 12 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Educational Administration
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Health Administration
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Labour and Industrial Relations
- Management
- Marketing
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities (Faculty) 16 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archaeology
- Archiving
- Art Education
- Art History
- Classical Languages
- Communication Studies
- Documentation Techniques
- Geography (Human)
- History
- Information Sciences
- Journalism
- Modern Languages
- Native Language
- Philosophy
- Portuguese
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
- Private Law
- Public Administration
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 37 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Biomedicine
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Dental Technology
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Dietetics
- Embryology and Reproduction Biology
- Epidemiology
- Ergotherapy
- Genetics
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Neurology
- Nutrition
- Occupational Health
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Periodontics
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Social and Preventive Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Surgery
- Toxicology
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Pharmacy (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Psychology and Education (Faculty) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cognitive Sciences
- Curriculum
- Educational Administration
- Educational Sciences
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Neurosciences
- Pedagogy
- Psychology
- Social and Community Services
- Special Education
- Teacher Trainers Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Technology (Faculty) 30 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Architecture
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Studies
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geography
- Geological Engineering
- Geology
- Industrial Chemistry
- Information Technology
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Multimedia
- Natural Sciences
- Physical Engineering
- Physics
- Technology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Sports Science and Physical Education (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Physical Education
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (Institute) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Interdisciplinary Research (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Programs Offered
Search and filter Universidade de Coimbra's available programmes by degree level. The list reflects the institution's current catalogue and may not include programmes that are paused or pending approval.
167 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Portugal
Bachelor's Degree 80 programmes
Showing 10 of 80.
Master's Degree 63 programmes
Showing 10 of 63.
Doctorate 24 programmes
Showing 10 of 24.
How to apply to Universidade de Coimbra
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Universidade de Coimbra, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
-
1
Identify the right programme
Use the programme finder to browse Universidade de Coimbra's 167 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
-
2
Check entry requirements
Programme-level requirements at Universidade de Coimbra typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
-
3
Prepare your application documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
-
4
Submit via the institution
Universidade de Coimbra processes applications through www.uc.pt. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
-
5
Get in touch with admissions
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +351 (239) 859 810. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universidade de Coimbra
Quick answers to the most common questions about Universidade de Coimbra — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.
In what year was Universidade de Coimbra established?
Universidade de Coimbra was founded in 1290 (approximately 736 years ago).
Where is Universidade de Coimbra located?
Universidade de Coimbra is located in Coimbra, Portugal.
Is Universidade de Coimbra a public or private institution?
Universidade de Coimbra is a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Universidade de Coimbra?
Student enrolment at Universidade de Coimbra is around 20,000-24,999.
How is Universidade de Coimbra ranked?
Universidade de Coimbra is ranked #435 globally and #3 in Portugal.
How many faculties does Universidade de Coimbra have?
Universidade de Coimbra has 11 academic units.
Is Universidade de Coimbra officially recognised?
Yes, Universidade de Coimbra is recognised by Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES); Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education.
Where can I learn more about Universidade de Coimbra?
You can find Universidade de Coimbra online at www.uc.pt.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Student exchange agreements within European University Association (EUA) formalise mobility opportunities. The universities below typically have dedicated exchange slots reserved for students from Universidade de Coimbra.
Faculties at nearby universities
Healthcare and student insurance rules often apply at the regional level around Universidade de Coimbra. Nearby universities typically follow the same health-coverage requirements for enrolled students.
Where Else to Study Medicine & Health
Programme delivery mode varies across the Medicine & Health programmes listed — online, hybrid, and in-person formats differ in tuition, schedule flexibility, and credential recognition across borders.
Universities Compared with Universidade de Coimbra
Looking at Universidade de Coimbra through a comparison lens? These universities share similar academic positioning and are commonly considered against Universidade de Coimbra during the application process. Cross-comparison helps clarify the institutional fit beyond ranking signals.
Studying in Portugal: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
